The Ultimate EarthCraft Homes Quiz

Ecology-minded people are exploring options for building or owning energy-efficient homes in ever increasing numbers. Owning a green home not only helps our environment, but can also save a lot of money on energy costs. Owners of EarthCraft homes claim that they have a better quality of life while spending less money to achieve it. Take this quiz on EarthCraft homes to check out your green savvy.

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Question 1 of 20

Roughly, how many tons of new resources a year are consumed by every person in the United States?

5 tons

10 tons

In the United States, each person consumes more than 10 tons of new resources each year. This figure includes virgin wood, fuels and similar materials.

15 tons

Question 2 of 20

What percentage of new resources that are consumed by each person in the United States yearly becomes waste within one year?

90 percent

According to Bion Howard, an astonishing 90 percent or about 9 tons of new resources consumed yearly by each American becomes waste within a single year.

80 percent

70 percent

Question 3 of 20

What percentage of U.S. energy consumption is used for building construction and operation?

59 percent

49 percent

39 percent

According to the United States Green Building Council, building construction and operation accounts for 39 percent of energy usage. Building construction and operation also consumes 70 percent of the electricity, creates 39 percent of carbon dioxide emissions and 30 percent of the waste generated.

Question 4 of 20

How many 1,700 square-foot homes can be built with the wood harvested from one acre of an average forest?

one

According to Global Green, only one 1,700 square-foot home can be built with the wood harvested from one acre of forest. You may find it surprising and disturbing that so many trees are required to build a single home.

three

five

Question 5 of 20

How much money do businesses loose each year due to poor air quality in buildings and its affect on workers?

$20 billion

$15 billion

Global Green claims that American businesses loose $15 billion in productivity each year due to poor air quality in their buildings. Global Green estimates that more than one third of the buildings in the U.S. suffer from poor air quality.

$10 billion

Question 6 of 20

What is the largest recognized system for green home development in the United States?

EchoCraft

GreenCraft

EarthCraft

The EarthCraft system is currently the largest system dedicated to green home construction in the United States. Since green residential building is lagging behind business, EarthCraft fills a much-needed void.

Question 7 of 20

Why is it that so few green homes were being built in the U.S. before organizations like EarthCraft?

There were no guiding standards in existence for green home construction.

Prior to EarthCraft, there were no standards to guide builders or to encourage them to build green. Although people were seeking more efficient heating and cooling options, no one was looking at improving the building envelope.

There was no incentive in existence for green home construction.

People had the perception that building green was significantly more expensive.

Question 8 of 20

EarthCraft homes:

are a bit odd looking and people are reluctant to invest in one

are quite a bit more expensive than average homes

look just like any average home

EarthCraft homes look like any average home in your neighborhood. Surprising as it may seem, building an EarthCraft home costs only slightly more than a standard home of the same size.

Question 9 of 20

What is the design concept used to increase the energy efficiency of an EarthCraft home?

photovoltaic panels and solar heating systems

well-sealed exterior and high efficiency HVAC

A well-sealed exterior along with high efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems make it easy to maintain comfort level while saving money and energy. EarthCraft homes also focus on giving a home as much natural light as possible, which means windows and skylights are plentiful.

super insulation that doubles average R-factors

Question 10 of 20

How many single-family homes in the Atlanta area have been certified as EarthCraft homes since the programs inception?

4000

According to EarthCraft, since the inception of the EarthCraft program they have certified over 4,000 single-family homes in the Atlanta area alone. The program is expanding and more organizations are being formed across the nation.

3000

2000

Question 11 of 20

Is EarthCraft only operating in the state of Georgia?

EarthCraft is only in Georgia but other states have their own programs.

EarthCraft is funded by the state of Georgia so they are prohibited from expanding to other states.

EarthCraft is now active in five states and the District of Columbia.

According to the latest information, EarthCraft has offices and programs in the following states: Virginia, Washington, D.C., Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Tennessee.

Question 12 of 20

Beginning in 2003, what program did EarthCraft create to promote a better lifestyle?

EarthCraft developed a program called “Operation Green Land.”

EarthCraft developed a program called “EarthCraft Communities.”

In 2003, EarthCraft developed a program called “EarthCraft Communities.” Several EarthCraft Communities have been created in both Georgia and Virginia with even more under development.

EarthCraft developed a program called “Life Quality Green.”

Question 13 of 20

How many basic criteria must a home meet in order to receive EarthCraft certification?

3

A home must meet three basic criteria in order to receive EarthCraft certification: Energy Star compliance, EarthCraft inspections and a score of at least 120 points on the EarthCraft worksheet.

5

7

Question 14 of 20

Why is EarthCraft’s points system a very effective way to determine certification?

A points system works because building codes and environmental concerns vary by region.

EarthCraft adopted a points system because building codes are not standardized across the country. Depending on climate and geographic location some environmental concerns are more important to consumers than others.

A points system allows flexibility to choose which standards are more convenient to follow.

A points system allows contractors to cut some corners to reduce costs.

Question 15 of 20

Can any builder become involved in an EarthCraft program that is active in their area?

Yes, they only need to pay a small fee to register and promise to use the standards package they receive.

Builders must pass a rigorous training program and write an exam before they can participate in the program.

Builders must receive basic training, join local and national chapters of NAH and join the EarthCraft program.

Builders must receive basic training on the certification process and environmental guidelines used to build EarthCraft homes. They must also join local and national chapters of the National Association of Homebuilders (NAH) and formally join the EarthCraft program.

Question 16 of 20

How many points does a home require in order to receive EarthCraft certification?

at least 100 points

at least 120 points

There is a requirement of a minimum of 120 point required for certification but homes that are more efficient can command higher prices. A home receiving 200 points can receive “Select” certification and a home with 250 points can receive “Premium” certification.

at least 150 points

Question 17 of 20

What is an average fee for EarthCraft certification?

about $900

about $1,000

What is the fee for an average-sized home to receive EarthCraft certification?

about $1,500

Question 18 of 20

What percentage of greater energy efficiency is an EarthCraft home designed to achieve versus an average home?

30 percent more

An EarthCraft home is designed to be at least 30 percent more energy efficient versus a traditional home. This energy efficiency improvement results in 1,100 pounds less greenhouse gas emission per EarthCraft home.

35 percent more

40 percent more

Question 19 of 20

What else do EarthCraft homes accomplish when compared to a traditional home?

recycle 70 percent of gray water

use 60 percent less concrete

use 12 percent less water

EarthCraft homes use 12 percent less water than conventional homes do. This is primarily accomplished by using low-flow fixtures and other water saving devices.

Question 20 of 20

What is the most widely used green building program in the world?

U.S. Green Building Council (LEED)

The most widely used green building program in the world is the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design system (LEED). Thousands of commercial buildings have been certified under the LEED program and the program was recently expanded to include residential buildings.